plate no. 5670

Peasant and his son

Niko Pirosmani, 1908

oil, oilclothNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitfiguresportraitclothingpitcherfield

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. It also encourages exploration of visible brushstrokes to build texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and the pitcher.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the dark background, the figures' clothing, and the ground.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the figures, adding details like facial features and clothing folds.
step 04
Add the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Paint the background details, such as the wheat stalks.
step 06
Add the final details, such as the texture of the clothing and the reflections on the pitcher.
step 07
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · black · white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue

Mix black and white to create various shades of gray for the figures' skin and clothing. Use burnt umber and raw sienna for the pitcher and background, mixing in white or yellow ochre for highlights.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (black, white, burnt umber, raw sienna, yellow ochre, Prussian blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife